Knitted article



Patented Sept. 28, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTED ARTICLE Olive Holmes Basch, Westfield, N. J. Application May 22, 1939, Serial No. 275,056

Claims.

This invention relates to a novel method of making knitted articles and more particularly to a method of making such articles with an elastic edge.

In the past, many knitted articles such as sweaters, socks, etc., have not been as serviceable as might be desired on-account of the fact that the edge, such as the top edge of a knitted sock or the edge of a knitted sweater sleeve, must be bound off with yarn in such a way as to be relatively non-elastic. Some attempts to overcome this difiiculty have been made, for instance, by sewing, weaving, or carrying on the wrong side of the knitting, an elastic thread such as the one marketed under the trade name Lastex at or near the edge and making the knitted garment itself somewhat larger than really necessary, relying on the elastic thread to draw it in suiiicien'tly to obtain a snug fit. Still other attempts have been made by weaving an elastic thread or the use of alternating stitches but none of these prior art attempts have been successful in making knitted articles which are completely satisfactory.

-One object of the present invention is to provide the-actual edge of the knitted article itself with relatively much greater elasticity than has been provided heretofore so that, in effect, the edge will have even a substantially greater elasticity .than the adjacent part of the body of the knitted article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substantial amount of elasticity in one or more rows of knitting parallel to the edge but slightly removed therefrom so as to provide what might be termed a tapering off or gradual reduction in the elasticity between the edge and the main- The invention may, of course, be practiced in various ways and with knitting of many difierent types. For instance, the body of the knitted article orat least the part thereof near the ed e where it is desired to provide the knitted elastic thread, may consist of garter stitch knitting or it may be ribbing (knit 1, purl 1; knit 2, purl 1; knit 2, purl 2, etc.), smacking, seed stitch, or various other types of knitting stitches or various combinations thereof. For example, the main body and Sleeve portions of a sweater may comprise stockinette stitch, garter stitch or seed stitch while the wristbands on the sleeves are made of ribbing to assist in making a more snug fit, and in'such a case, the one or more rows of knitted elastic thread provided, according to the present invention, near the edge of the wrist will be made of ribbing stitch. In other'cases, if desired, the rows of yarn knitting, as well as the elastic thread knitting of the present invention, may be of a difierent stitch than those of the immediately adjacent part of the knitted article. Such an arrangement is especially useful in providing decorative effects and special designs. For

example, an infants sock may consist of garter stitch in the actual foot portion including the heel, arch, and toe, and the leg portion may consist of ribbing, whereas around the top of the sock an additional /2 inch border is provided of alternate rows of elastic thread and yarn knitted in garter stitch, the top edge being finally bound off with knitted elastic thread.

A still further modification of the invention is to provide one or more rows of knitted elastic thread in the main body portion of the knitted article at such point or points Where it may be desirable to have additional elasticity while still maintaining the desired snug fitting. For instance, in the infant sock, referred to above, at the ankle portion between the foot and the leg portions, several rows of knitted elastic thread are Preferably provided.

An addtional feature of the present invention is that the provision of the knitted elastic threads at the edge and at one or more rows parallel thereto but slightly removed therefrom and perhaps at additional points within the body of the than the colorof the yarn in the body of the knitted article. For example, a bluelknitted elastic thread gives a. very pleasing efiect on an article knitted with white yarn. Even more than two colors may be used if desired, such as red, white and blue, etc.

As another modification of the invention, the

knitted elastic threads may be provided along two parallel edges, as, for example, in straps such as shoulder straps or small ankle straps tohold booties or slippers on the foot. In articles of this type having two elastic edges, if it is desired to have a substantially similar appearance on both edges, one should start along one edge with so-called knit-on stitches and finish on the other edge with a bound off stitch. If desired, one or more rows of knitted yarn may be in between these two knitted elastic thread edges.

Although the invention is applicable to a wide variety of uses, all of which need not be listed, a few additional ones will be mentioned merely for the sake of illustration.

Garments or parts of garments in which a single knitted elastic edge is particularly useful in-' clude slip-on sweaters, e. g. crew neck, V-neck, round neck, etc., collars, arm and leg bands (if these are to be turned back, a reversible stitch,

i. e. one which looks the same on both sides, should be used such as a seed stitch or ribbing, etc.), waistbands such as the bottom band of a sweater, blouse, etc. or the top band of pants or skirt, etc., front borders, pocket borders, edges on gloves, mittens, socks, stockings, etc.

Garments or garment parts in which two relatively close parallel knitted elastic edges are useful include belts, or half belts such as those used in the back of coats, jackets, pants, etc. (to help hold other parts of the garment properly or snugly in place), straps such as shoulder straps, ankle straps as mentioned previously, cap

and hat straps, garters for legs and sleeves, harness such as used for little children or animals such as small dogs, etc.

Garments in which some knitted elastic thread is desirable in certain parts definitely remote from the edge, but useful only when such garment has one or more elastic edges, include sweaters, jackets, etc. or full-length dresses, rompers, and the like, in which there is an elastic waistband knitted integrally into the garment either entirely around the waist or only part way around such as at the back. Other similar uses include yokes or shoulder bands, particularly at places where a certain amount of motion is desired.

The invention is not limited to use in garments but may also be applied to other types of articles such as around the edges of knitting bags, pocketbooks, pillow covers, dog covers, toys (e. g. doll clothes, etc.) and the like, and the straps with two parallel elastic edges may be used on many different types of articles such as knitting bags, pocketbooks, etc.

The invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 represents a portion of a knitted garment or article having a knitted elastic thread on one edge and one knitted elastic thread spaced parallel to said edge but removed a few rows therefrom. Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 except that the knitted article has two knitted elastic threads knitted parallel to the elastic edge and removed a few rows therefrom and also spaced apart from each other by a few rows. Fig. 3 shows a similar construction with an additional three rows of knitted elastic thread spaced slightly apart from each other but spaced a substantial number of rows away from the edge and the two rows of elastic thread near to said edge. Fig. 4 shows a narrow strap consisting of two knitted elastic threads having several courses of yarn between the two edges of knitted elastic thread. Fig. 5 shows a strap similar to that in Fig. 4 except that it is wider and contains several interior courses of knitted elastic thread and also additional Intermediate yarn courses. Fig. 6 shows a section of a knitted garment or'article containing three rows of knitted elastic thread slightly spaced apart from each other but in an interior part of said garment or article substantially remote from the edge. Fig. 7 shows a sun suit to which the invention has been applied in several dif ferent manners. Fig. 8 shows a novel type of babys bootee to which the invention has been applied both as an ankle strap and around the top edge of the foot part of the bootee. Fig. 9 is an enlarged diagram showing how the courses of knitted elastic thread are combined either on the edge or in the interior part with the yarn.

Referring to Fig. 1, the elastic thread I is shown knitted with a bound oil or cast on stitch on the adjacent yarn courses 2 and there is also an interior I course of elastic thread I' which serves to give additional elasticity to the body part of the knitted yarn and at the same time helps to keep the edge portion of the garment .or article in proper shape, that is, to prevent the garment or article from becoming distorted due to the great difference in relative elasticity between the elastic thread I and the yarn courses 2.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the edge of the knitted garment or article is bound off with a knitted elastic thread I in a manner similar to thatshown in Fig. 1 but Figs. 2 and 3 show a plurality of interior courses of elastic thread I, there being two in Fig. 2 and five in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 there is a substantially wider band of knitted yarn courses 3 between the first two and last three of the interior knitted elastic thread courses I. This construction coupled with the knitted elastic thread I on the edge gives not only an extremely desirable elasticity but also gives a very good form-retaining characteristic.

Fig. 4 shows a narrow strap having along one edge a knitted elastic thread I which is knitted with a bound off stitch, and along the other edge another row of knitted elastic thread 4 knitted with a so-called knit-on stitch, with several rows of knitted yarn in between, thus producing a narrow strap, having such great elasticity that it can easily be stretched at least in length, and if desired as much as 200% or even 300%.

Fig. 5 shows a trap similar to that in Fig. 4. except that in between the bound off knitted elastic thread I and the knit on elastic thread 4, there are not only several courses of knitted yarn 2 but also several courses of knitted elastic thread with intermediate yarn courses. Such a constructionis substantially more stable and has more body or form than the construction shown in Fig. 4; the number of courses of yarn and elastic thread and the size and tightness of the knitting stitch may be varied according to the strength desired.

In Fig. 6, three courses of interior knitted elastic thread I are shown spaced apart by alternate thin bands comprising one or more knitted yarn courses and also having knitted yarn courses on the outer sides of these knitted elastic thread courses.

In Fig. '7 the knitted sun suit ,5 isflbound off with a knitted elastic thread I,in the leg openings 6 as well as along the shoulder straps f! and the side portions of the waistband B. The shoulder straps 1 also have knit-on elastic thread edges 4 from the back part of the sun suit over the shoulder and down to the front body portion 9 or on down to the waist band 8, and these shoulder straps I also contain one or more I knitted yarn courses.

. used instead of, or in addition to, the front body The cross tie I2 may be portion 9. If desired,- one or more interior knitted elastic thread courses may also be provided somewhere between the two knitted elastic edge courses I and 4. The portion of the waist- I advantageously in making bathing suits as well assun suits.

In Fig. 8 a novel type of baby bootee III is shown consisting of a sole portion II, a front or toe portion I2, heel-portion I3 and ankle strap I4, there being a band I around the upper part of the foot portion connecting the heel I3, sole portion I I and toe portior n I2, and there being knitted elastic threads I onthe upper edge of the band I5, as well as the upper edge of the, ankle strap- I4, and a knit-on elastic thread 4 along the other edge of the ankle strap I4. Il In the particular construction shown, there is.also an interior course of knitted elastic thread I in the ankle strap I4 in between the elastic thread I and 4 and there are also two courses of interior knitted elastic thread I' in the upper edge band I5 of the foot portion .of the bootee. As indicated in the drawing, the ankle strap I4 is connected integrally with the edge band I5 at the heel and part way (but not more than kle. If desired, for ease in construction and comfortable fit, it may be desirable to knit the upper part of the foot portion of the bootee providing a seam IS in the front corners extending part way down from the edge band I5 in the direction of the front tip of the toe; and from there on down to the sole the knitting courses may be extended continuously around the whole bootee without any front corner seams.

This particular construction of infant's bootee or, in fact, any similar type of knitted footwear, has many advantages over those used heretofore in that the knitted elastic edges of the ankle strap I4 give such extreme elasticity that it permits easy putting on and taking off of the bootee and yet maybe made to have a sufiicient tensile strength that it will remain firmly and snugly positioned around the upper part of the ankle even though the foot may be pointed downward.

edge and the next one parallel thereto, or betweensuccessive knitted elastic threads further from the edge; and preferably there are not more than 5 yarn courses in such places. I

In knitting a course of elastic thread, usually it is best to knit all along the edge in one direction and then knit back in the opposite d1 rection, making what might be calleda "double course. 7 j

The invention may be carried out either by hand knitting or machine knitting or a combination of part of each; and, if desired, parts, especially the elastic sections containing the knitted elastic threads, may be joined to the other part or parts of the knitted article by pick up stitches.

Also, if desired, a garment or other article may be made partly out of cloth and partly of knitted goods. v For instance, knitted arm or leg cuffs, neck bands, etc. may be put on coats, jackets,

- ski pants, etc. made of cloth; and elastic threads about one-third way) around the side of the anin such a position thatmany of the slippers or bootees would easily slide oif. The knitted elastic thread courses in the edge band I5 also assist in preventing the bootee or slipper from coming ofi the foot by reason of the tension. which tends to hold the bootee firmly in place.

may be incorporated into these parts in the same manner asdescribed above.

It is not intended that the invention be limited to any of the particular modifications, illustr'ations, or example of the invention which have been given but only by the appended claims in which it is intended to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as the prior art permits.

I claim:

1. A knitted garment comprising a body portion consisting essentially ofknitted textile yarn having along at least one edge thereof an elastic textile fabric-covered rubber thread knitted thereon with a bound oif stitch as an integral part of the knitted structure, there being at least course of knitted textileyarn between successive courses of knitted elastic thread.

'2. A knitted garment or other article having in the main body portion thereof a major proportion of textile yarn knitted with stockinette stitch, having around the edge thereof a band comprising a plurality of knitted elastic thread courses, adjacent courses of which are separated by at least one course of knitted textile yarn knitted with garter stitch, the outside edge of said band consisting of an elastic thread course knitted with a bound oif stitch.

1 3. A knitted garment of thesun suit or bathing suit type comprising a body portion having leg openings and having shoulder straps, said leg openings and a waistband having on the outside edges thereof a knitted elastic thread knitted thereon as an integral part thereof and there being at least one course of knitted elastic thread substantially parallel to each of said edges but removedtherefrom by at least one'knitted yarn course, and said shoulder straps having knitted elastic threads on both edges thereof, there being a plurality of knitted yar'n courses in between I shoulder straps on the shoulders of the wearer when inuse.

4. A knitted garment having a body portion and shoulder straps, said shoulder straps having knitted elastic thread on both edges thereof, there being a plurality of knitted non-elastic yarn courses knitted integrally between said knitted elastic thread edges.

5. A knitted garment of the sun suit or bath removed therefrom by at'least one knitted nonelastic yarn course, and said shoulder straps having knitted elastic threads on both edges thereof, there being a. plurality of knitted non-elastic yarn 5 courses in between said knitted elastic thread edges.

OLIVE HOLMES BASCH.- 

